EPA Region 6 Enforcement and Compliance Results for 2011

(DALLAS – December 8, 2011) With over 600 enforcement actions in the region, environmental violators were required to spend about $311.7 million in pollution controls and cleanup, with another $2 million invested in environmental projects benefitting communities. These actions allowed the treatment, minimization or disposal of more than 3.1 billion pounds of hazardous waste, 137.5 million pounds of air and water pollutants reduced, treated or properly disposed, cleaning of about 3.6 million cubic yards of contaminated soil and water, and the assessment of $29 million in civil penalties.

“These results show that polluters are being held accountable for their damage to the environment,” said EPA Regional Administrator Al Armendariz. “The enforcement teams at EPA and our state partners have again demonstrated their commitment to protecting people's health by upholding the law.”EPA and state regulatory agencies share environmental enforcement authority for regulated businesses and industry within each state. Through close coordination, the agencies focus on enforcement actions which bring about the most environmental benefit. Often, these investigations and actions are brought by both federal and state agencies. EPA and state agencies also bring separate environment enforcement cases as part of our shared annual planning efforts. Regional state partners collected $5.2 million through penalties and fines.

As part of its mission, EPA uses enforcement to encourage governments, companies and other regulated entities to follow environmental obligations. The Agency continues to protect the air we breathe, safeguard the water that flows through our communities and into our homes, and to care for the land where we build homes, schools and businesses. Compliance with environmental laws is essential to controlling pollution and protecting the people from exposure to harmful chemicals.

Region 6 includes Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas.